Ballotwatch Examines State Propositions

June 16, 2005

A Ballotwatch report published by the Initiative & Referendum Institute at USC Law School offers a detailed description of the eight propositions that will appear on the ballot for the Nov. 8 special election announced by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The report, which offers preliminary polling and history of special elections in California, includes information on voter turnout and past special elections called by former Govs. Ronald Reagan and Pete Wilson.

Since he took office, Schwarzenegger has threatened to take his reform agenda to the voters if the legislature won't cut a deal, said John Matsusaka, a USC professor and president of the Initiative & Referendum Institute at USC.

“We're about to find if Schwarzenegger can govern without the legislature,” he said.

Of the eight propositions that may appear on the ballot, five are sponsored by or linked to Schwarzenegger. The ballot issues include abortion, apportionment, drug prices, electricity regulation, state spending limits, teacher tenure and union dues.

Seven of the eight potential measures are likely to become major battlegrounds between Schwarzenegger and public-sector unions.

Schwarzenegger is sponsoring three measures as part of his reform agenda, including measures on reapportionment, state spending limits and teacher tenure. Citizens to Save California has raised $8.2 million, including $1.3 million from Schwarzenegger's California Recovery Team, for the campaign. The group reports $2 million cash on hand.

Unrelated to the governor's reform agenda and battle with the unions is an abortion measure sponsored by right-to-life activists. This measure is a wild card, Matsusaka said, much like the marriage amendments in the 2004 presidential elections.